Hidden Gems from Smaller Conferences

In this article, I'll be highlighting some of the top players from Wisconsin's smaller enrollment conferences. While these conferences may not always get the same attention, they've produced standout players who consistently compete at a high level. From the fierce competition in leagues like the Woodland-West, which has produced state champions like Pewaukee, to other smaller conferences, these players prove that talent and skill can thrive anywhere.    [player_tooltip player_id='654832' first='Riley' last='Ward'] is an explosive and versatile guard who consistently makes an impact on the court. On offense, her quickness and long strides make her tough to stay in front of, and her ability to shift gears with a sharp crossover allows her to create space easily. Ward attacks the basket effectively by finishing through contact at the rim or pulling up for a controlled floater. She has also proven that she can shoot from beyond the arc, making her a well-rounded offensive threat. Defensively, Ward uses her long wingspan to make things difficult for her opponents. She anticipates well and has a knack for being in the right position to make plays on the defensive end. Last season, Ward averaged 17 points per game and shot 47% from the field. She sets the tone on both ends of the floor which makes her an integral player for Whitnall.      [player_tooltip player_id='1275672' first='Avari' last='Steiner'] is a quick, athletic guard who brings energy and hustle every time she's on the court. She has great court vision and delivers crisp, precise passes to set up her teammates. Her shooting is another strength – she has a smooth stroke and has proven to be a threat from beyond the arc. Defensively, Steiner is scrappy and aggressive using her quick hands to come up with a solid number of steals. As a freshman, she averaged 7.3 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and 34% from three. With significant minutes as a starter, she played a key role as one of the guards running the offense and bringing the ball up the court showing composure beyond her years. She's primed to make an even bigger impact this season.      Megan Hochkammer is a skilled point guard who thrives at running the offense and creating opportunities for her teammates. She keeps the ball moving and makes smart decisions using her court awareness to set up plays. Hochkammer is also a reliable shooter from the perimeter. While she doesn't take many threes, she hits them confidently when she does. Inside the arc, she shows her ability to score in a variety of ways. She can pull up for a mid-range jumper or drive to the basket where she uses good body control to finish through contact with a soft touch off the glass. As a sophomore, she averaged 13.2 points per game, shot 43% from the field and added 5.6 assists per game to her stat line. Her performance last season was a key factor for Valders, and I believe that she will be a key player for her team again this year. I'm looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow in her junior season.      Spector is a tough, reliable defender who makes smart plays on both ends of the floor. She brings strength and physicality to the game, consistently boxing out every time a shot goes up and battling for position in the paint. Her lateral quickness allows her to switch onto guards at the perimeter and hold her own, even against quicker matchups. On offense, Spector has good hands, attacks the rim with purpose, and finishes strong through contact. As a freshman last season, Spector averaged 5.4 points per game with a standout performance against Edgewood where she scored 15 points, shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and 67% from the field. Her ability to contribute in key moments makes her a vital part of her team. I'm looking forward to seeing how she progresses throughout her high school career.      Baumgartner is a very athletic power forward/center with a long wingspan that makes her a tough defender who's able to disrupt plays and challenge shots. She's also a solid passer and moves the ball well. At 6'1”, she's impressive on fast breaks and handles the ball surprisingly well at her height. She has a nice shooting stroke and has shown that she can hit shots from the perimeter. Around the basket, she finishes strong with both hands showing good versatility. Last season as a freshman, she led Medford in scoring with 11.2 points per game and played a big role as a starter. She's bound to make an even bigger impact this year as a sophomore.

In this article, I'll be highlighting some of the top players from Wisconsin's smaller enrollment conferences. While these conferences may not always get the same attention, they've produced standout players who consistently compete at a high level. From the fierce competition in leagues like the Woodland-West, which has produced state champions like Pewaukee, to other smaller conferences, these players prove that talent and skill can thrive anywhere.